The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-10
RAILROAD EMPLOYEES.
THE PENDING BILLS REGARDING
THEIR EXAMINATION.

Decisions of Such a Commission as
is Proposed-Their Own Examina-
tons Sufficient
A short time since there were introduced
in the House Of Representatives two bills,
very interesting to railroad men. One was
the bill providing for the examination of
railroad employees for color blindness, and
the other provides that all locomotive en-
gineels shall undergo an examination as TO
their morality, sobriety and their ability to
run an engine.
railroad man was asked yesterday how
the bills were regarded by the fraternity,
and his answer was:
"This isn't a railroad fight; it is fight of
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,
and the railroad companies have no interest
| in it. The railroads already have better
examinations than any commission can get
Such a commission would not lessen
the responsibilities of a railroad
corporation, and the certificates
they would issue would be of no
practical benefit The men do not take well
to the idea of having two examinations, es-
pecially when one is costly and useless
If you want to know what the railroads
examination, why don't you go up and ask
the Central or the Savannah, Florida and
| Western folks about it. You will probably
| be surprised to find how much is required of
| employees"
THE ROADS THE BEST EXAMINERS.
On inquiring of Maj. Mckee, of the 'Sa-
vannah, Florida and Western railroad, re-
garding the new bills and what effect they
would have, and also how the railroads re-
garded the matter, the following facts were
ascertained:
In the first place the railroad compa-
MES are Indifferent to the bills, to
| this extent. No matter what exanina-
ton the committee may require, it would
| not help the men one iota. The road
| is responsible to certain extent, for the ca
pacity and reliability of its employees, and
they would not take any ones certificate re-
| garding a mans capabllity for certain
| work. He must pass their examination,
and them if he stands well, he secures a po-
sition, but not otherwise. They know fully
| what kind or class of work they
desire performed and they can frame bet
ter examination or test, to prove his capacity
for it, than can any outside committee or
board, no matter how strict they make it,
To show how severe these examinations
are and what that road requires of its en-
| plOyeS, several extracts from the book OF
rules is given herewith:
Applicants for the position of locomotive
| engineer must pass an examination, to be con
| Quoted by the Board of Examiners under the
| following rules and regulations:
Applicants must have had railroad experience
| either for two years in running locomotive or
| for four years as a fireman; except that three
| years continuous service as a fireman on the
lines operated or controlled by these companies
| will be sufficient.
The examination of applicants for the position
| of Locomotive Engineers will be conducted in
| the following order, viz:
| 1st-Mordi
| 2d-MentdL
| 3d-PhusicdI.
Moral examination shall determine if he is ad-
| dicted to any vice which would be likely to
weaken or destroy his self control such intern
| perauce, vicious and high temper or rashness.
| Mental examination shall determine il he has
| such knowledge of the construction and man
| agement of the locomotive as would enable him
to manipulate it to the best advantage under
| the various Circumstances he may reasonably be
| expected to encounter, viz. the combustion of
fuel, the generation of steam, effects of grades,
| wet rails ETC.: also the precautions to be taken
| and eXpedients to be resorted to in emergencies.
| Can he read and write sufficiently well?
Has he a sufficient knowledge of arithmetic?
Does he appear to be intelligent and of good
judgment?
Is he acquainted with the physical features of
the road. c. its grades, curves, etc,
Has he become fully acquainted with the
train rules and other prescribed rules of these
companies?
| The Physical examination must be made by
the company's surgeon, and should determine,
first whether he is of sound constitution: sec
ond, whether he has sufficient strength, activity
and endurance; third, whether he has sufficient
ly acute and reliable sight and hearing whether
his knowledge of and ability to distinguish
coorS Is sufficient.
THEY MUST KNOW THE RULES.
The engineer holding this certificate when
he leaves the company's employment must
have an attached blank filed up and signed
by the master of machinery, giving cause
for his leaving.
The above rules, which comprise the por-
ton relating more closely to this especial
point of the engineers examinations, are
certainly iron-clad, and comprise all that
one could look for. Engineers applying for
employment must show their creden-
tials from other roads and like
wise produce satisfactory evidence that they
understand their duties thoroughly. The
rules governing the employees form n book
of lao closely printed pages, and all train
hands are required to make themselves ia
miliar with them. The rules embrace wide
range, besides giving the laws of Florida,
Georgia and South Carolina on the differ
ent subjects that might come under their
notice such as cattle laws, firing the woods
and similar matters. No trouble has ever
ness, and no accidents have ever been traced
TO any such cause.
| HYPOTHETICAL COLLISIONS,
At the Central, tine same general system
is in effect, though differing in details.
The master mechanic examines the engineers
and others thoroughly and in a practical
manner. The conductors pass through the
hands of Mr.. j. M. Norman, master of train
service, who, though one of the most genial
persons off duty, is a very martinez i'll his
examinations. He takesa conductor, runs
an imaginative train out on the road and
causes it to go through woeful chapter of
experiences and accidents and that anxious
applicant for conductors berth
must show his aptitude and
railroad skill. in entangling it from the
meshes woven by Mr. Norman and bring it
safely in. As q general thing the conduc-
tors and engineers have all worked their way
up from lower positions and have proved
themselves fully competent in every re-
spect.
WHY THE MEN OBJECT.
AS three colors are only used, red, green
and white, indicating danger, caution and
safety, respectively the officials spoken to
saw no reason why the men should learn
the nice distinctions of shade that a
dry goods clerk might perhaps ,be expected
to know. The men object to it because it
imposes upon them expense without any
CORRESPONDING benefit The examination